FURCY

Synopsis

In 1817, on Bourbon Island (Reunion Island), a compelling narrative unfolds.
Following the passing of his mother, the enslaved Furcy stumbles upon a
letter of emancipation amidst her belongings—an unexpected key to his
indirect liberation. Aided by the support of abolitionist prosecutor Gilbert
Boucher, Furcy courageously embarks on a legal crusade against his
master, Joseph Lory, in a b id to substantiate his claim to freedom.
This legal saga, marked by numerous twists and turns, spans almost
three decades. Furcy endures imprisonment and exile in Mauritius for a
significant portion of this period. It is only in 1846 that he finally presents his
case before the Royal Court of Paris.
Furcy’s triumph in the courtroom distinguishes him as one of the rare slaves
in French history to achieve legal emancipation several years prior to the
definitive abolition of slavery.